Ponchatoula Police arrest Washington state escapee

PONCHATOULA, La. – A fugitive from Washington state is back behind bars after being arrested on the North Shore.

The Ponchatoula Police Department said they arrested 30-year-old James Dean Duncan after getting calls he was out a convenience store harassing customers and acting suspiciously. Police said when they checked him for warrants, it was revealed Duncan was wanted by the Washington State Department of Corrections. Duncan was listed as an escapee and unregistered sex offender.

Police said Duncan has been arrested in seven other states.

"The City of Ponchatoula is not the place for criminals to hide," said Police Chief Bry Layrisson on a department social media post.